Thomas W. Vickroy, Ph.D., a pharmacologist and longtime University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine faculty member, has been named executive associate dean of the college.

Dean James W. Lloyd, D.V.M., Ph.D., made the announcement following a comprehensive national search. The appointment is effective Aug. 1.
“Dr. Vickroy has a long, respected history with this college and great institutional knowledge,” said Lloyd. “He will be an excellent addition to our leadership team and I am delighted that he has agreed to accept the job.”

A professor in the college’s department of physiological sciences, Vickroy teaches veterinary pharmacology and previously has taught both small and large animal clinical pharmacology to professional (D.V.M.) students. He also teaches graduate students several subjects, including cellular neurophysiology, molecular and cellular neurobiology, mammalian pharmacology and advanced toxicology, both in the UF College of Veterinary Medicine and in the UF College of Medicine.

Vickroy has won numerous awards for teaching excellence since he joined the faculty in 1988, including recognition of his contributions in the forensic science program, the College of Veterinary Medicine Clinical Sciences Teacher of the Year in 2003-04 and Class of 1996 Teacher of the Year.

Also active in research, Vickroy’s achievements in veterinary pharmacology have included leadership roles such as regional director of the Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank and regional animal drug coordinator for the Minor Use Animal Drug program, both funded by the USDA.

Although his career at UF has been spent primarily as a faculty member, he has also served in the college’s administration as interim associate dean for students and instruction from 2007 to 2010.

Vickroy’s primary responsibilities in his new role will include implementation of strategic initiatives, human resource management, leadership development, facilities and space, and institutional evaluation and reporting. He will often work in collaboration with the associate dean for students and instruction and the associate dean for research and graduate studies on these and other projects. All three associate deans will report directly to the dean.

The national search and Vickroy’s hire were precipitated by the impending retirement of John Harvey, D.V.M., Ph.D., who will be leaving UF in September after 40 years of service on the UF veterinary medical faculty, six as executive associate dean.

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